One cannot just visit Spain without seeing some castles and palaces.
I do love a good castle and a palace. So, it’s no surprise that I filled my trip to Spain with many castles and palaces. On the last day with my rental car, I stopped in Belmonte and Aranjuez and a few days later, I took a day trip from central Madrid to El Escorial. Since only Belmonte Castle allowed photos inside, I decided to smush these visits into one post.
Belmonte Castle is a grand one. You can find this castle in the province of Cuenca south of Madrid. The castle stately rests on top of a hill visible from the countryside all around.
Belmonte is a very grand castle.
Belmonte Castle was constructed in the 15th century but had fallen into ruin by the 18th century. The castle has been restored since. Most of the current appearance dates from the 19th century where the medieval exterior was reconstructed but the castle was modernized on the inside. Since the 19th century, the castle has served as a home, a monastery, a prison and now a museum. That’s a lot of change in 100 years.
You can find those Don Quixote windmills in the province of Cuenca.
They did a good job with all the restorations.
There’s an interesting triangular courtyard within the castle with a medieval well.
Not all of the courtyard is that 19th century brick facade.
An interesting stairwell.
The restoration on this floor is channeling medieval styles. Many of the original Mudejar wooden ceilings from the 15th century are still intact and have been fabulously restored.
This floor has been decorated to the Medieval era.
Dinner time?
Excrement would probably just fall directly on the side of the castle. Ewwwww!
Cool looking medieval doorway.
One of those fancy restored Mudejar ceilings.
Now that’s a fancy ceiling! If you look at the lower corner, you can see what it would have looked like painted.
The top floor has been decorated in a 19th century style.
A fancy bedroom with a super fancy Mudejar ceiling.
Another Mudejar ceiling.
By the way, this was in the dungeon. The room is dark when you approach it. The lights turn on very suddenly.
Ack! That toilet didn’t even drop outside of the castle.
Moving on to Aranjuez, in the suburbs of Madrid. Until 1752, you couldn’t even live in Aranjuez if you weren’t royal. So just be happy you can see it today. The town today is mostly known for its grand palace.
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is still one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family. It was considered one of the seasonal seats of government. Every few months the whole Spanish royal court would move palace. Aranjuez was the springtime residence. It is a typical European royal palace; it’s overly large and surrounded by gardens.
South of the palace, near the main entrance of the palace is the absolutely huge Plaza de las Parejas (Plaza of the Couples). It was used as a parade ground of sorts.
It’s a big one. Honestly it is gorgeous inside and I’m glad I went. You can’t take photos so check out the palace website.
On the complete other side of the palace is the controlled Tagus River. The river has been turned into a flowing canal.
On the other side of the river is a giant garden that takes up an entire island, aptly named the Garden of the Island. There is a bunch of fountains to be found.
Lots of fountains.
Lots of very fancy fountains.
And a ton of peacocks! This one is just grooming himself on top of this sign.
This guy was just strutting his stuff.
Now for the El Escorial. I didn’t enjoy this palace as much. It’s absolutely gorgeous but the workers were rude. They are so intense on the no photography thing that they yell at you for scanning provided QR codes and using the Google Translate app. I did like the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial though. The waiter at the restaurant I ate at (outside of course since I had a Covid test coming up) turned up the outside heater and gave me extra blankets. He understood.
Yeah, it’s huge! Have I mentioned yet that this is the largest Renaissance building in the world?
Even the courtyard is super impressive.
El Escorial is made up of two complexes, a royal monastery and a royal palace. The only monarch to live in the main palace was Philip II (the guy that married Bloody Mary). Seems like a waste of money. It’s a fabulous complex. The church is gorgeous, the library is gorgeous and so is the palace. There is even a bunch of buried kings and queens and other royals underneath the chapel. I wish I could show you the inside.
Oh wait, I took a photo of that library as revenge for being yelled at while not taking a photo.
There was also a handful of areas you could take photos. I think. This is the main staircase up to the palace.
The back side of the palace is ringed by decorative gardens. Some featuring some cool designs in the hedge rows.
The town is very proud of its really creepy Nativity display. I still have nightmares.
Both of the Palaces of Aranjuez and El Escorial are reachable by commuter train and bus from central Madrid. Belmonte Castle will require a car or tour to reach. Belmonte Castle was interestingly restored, but I still enjoyed it. Even though I was yelled at, I still enjoyed the architecture and history of the royal palaces.
Check out my next update where I will visit the storied town of Toledo!
or
Start at the beginning of my travels around Spain!
